Our Staff
Kathleen has worked with children for over 30 years as a care provider, counselor and in association with visual arts and music.
Kathleen has worked with children for over 30 years as a care provider, counselor and in association with visual arts and music. She has an LCMHC from the State of Vermont, an MA in Art Therapy, MA in Fine Arts and a certification to teach art in K-12th grades. Kathleen is also a registered Music Together teacher, a research-based early childhood development program that provides the foundation for music education to infants through kindergarten aged children.
Kathleen established Purple Crayon Productions in 2003 with art and music programs for infants to children in early elementary grades. In 2007 she expanded Purple Crayon's art programs to the rest of the community including seniors, after school children and special needs populations. Together with a growing staff and a new permanent facility completed in 2013 Kathleen guided Purple Crayon into a home for theater, music, movement, ceramics, gallery exhibits, outreach, concerts and more. The organization was renamed Artistree Community Arts Center in 2010.
Kathleen has a counseling practice for children and adults on site at Artistree. She remains a part time instructor for children and adults.
Specializing in Vibraphone and Percussion, Mark has a BFA in Music Performance and Composition.
Mark van Gulden, the music director at Artistree, is a free lance musician living in Barnard and working throughout the state and Northeast. Specializing in Vibraphone and Percussion, Mark has a BFA in Music Performance and Composition from Johnson State College.
Mark has worked in Vermont as a freelance musician for many years, playing concerts and club dates, as well as his involvement with many recording projects. Mark is happy to be able to develop an exciting, vibrant, and accessible Music program for the Woodstock community.
You can reach Mark via email at music@artistreevt.org or call 802-457-3500 x119.
Fiona joined Artistree in 2012, establishing a small but flourishing clay program. She is also an active part of the art outreach team and instructs all ages in drawing.
Fiona grew up in in many parts of Great Britain and attended Chiltern NTC, in Berkshire, majoring in early childhood development. After several years of living and working in London, she and her husband moved to Boston and then settled in Vermont in 1988.
Always a maker, she had the opportunity to pursue an apprenticeship with Miranda Thomas, following Miranda from Quechee to a larger studio in Bridgewater, VT.
Fiona joined Artistree in 2012, establishing a small but flourishing clay program. She is an active part of the the art outreach team and instructs all ages in drawing.
She feels that being in an artistically absorbing and wildly creative environment is fabulous!
You can contact Fiona at ceramics@artistreevt.org or call 802-457-3500 x 114.
Marisa Diamond is an accomplished educator, artist, and leader with over a decade of experience in arts education, performance, digital arts, and program development. She brings a dynamic, international background to her role as Director of Programming, having worked extensively across the U.S. and Aotearoa New Zealand as an artist, teaching artist, coach, choreographer, and mentor.
Marisa began teaching at a young age and has since cultivated a rich career in the arts, holding leadership positions at renowned organizations such as Project AIR, CircEsteem, and Circus Harmony. Her work has spanned classrooms, theaters, community centers, and virtual platforms, always centering access, inclusion, and creative expression. She has supervised and mentored teaching artists worldwide, directed youth-focused programming, and championed youth leadership at a national level as a board member with AYCO/ACE.
As a multidisciplinary performing and visual artist (AEA, SAG-AFTRA), Marisa has performed in film, television, and live productions, specializing in circus, dance, and physical theater. She is also the Founder and Director of the Circus International Film Festival, and a practiced photographer and filmmaker with a passion for capturing performance and movement.
In addition to her performance and programming expertise, Marisa has led initiatives in arts-based social justice, trauma-informed education, and community engagement. She cofounded Diamond Family Circus, continues to teach in public housing and remote Indigenous communities, and has worked as a violence prevention educator and literacy tutor.
Marisa brings a unique blend of creative vision, educational depth, and logistical acumen to her role, where she is dedicated to building impactful, inclusive arts programming that uplifts communities and artists alike.
She can be reached at programming@artistreevt.org.
Design Diva
Marie Cross was born and raised in the Woodstock/Pomfret community and returned to the Upper Valley after completing her BFA at the Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. A lifelong lover of art and design, she is passionate about the power of visual storytelling and its ability to connect with people on an emotional level.
Marie’s professional background spans both established and innovative creative environments. She worked at Simon Pearce before joining the founding team at Green Mountain Digital, where she served as Creative Director and Chief Designer. In that role, she led the design of 35 Audubon-branded authoritative field guide apps for smart devices—used widely across multiple mobile platforms—and oversaw the design and user interface for Yonder, an app created for outdoor enthusiasts.
Marie and her family live just up the road from Artistree, and she is genuinely delighted to contribute her skills to an organization that inspires creativity and community every day.
Marie holds a BFA in Illustration from the Ringling College of Art in Sarasota, Florida.
You can reach Marie via email at communications@artistreevt.org or call 802-457-3500 x 129.
Karen holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Karen fell in love with art as a child, but it is her experience working at Artistree since 2015 that has made her fall in love with nonprofits. At Artistree, Karen is responsible for designing and implementing comprehensive fundraising strategies to support Artistree's mission and initiatives. She oversees major gifts, annual campaigns, corporate sponsorships, grant writing, and development events.
Educated in the visual and performing arts, Karen received The Field Program in European Studies grant from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, to study art and culture in northern Spain and complete a master's degree in anthropology. Today, with an Ed.D. and a background in public and higher education, Karen brings her skills in communication, management, leadership, research, writing, and planning to drive Artistree's sustainability and growth. She is passionate about bringing arts experiences to kids, families, and adults in our community, and is thrilled she gets to spend her time keeping the Upper Valley an amazing place to live.
To reach Karen please email development@artistreevt.org or call 802-457-3500 ext. 115.
Robert has an MBA in finance from Rutgers and an MA in French literature from Yale.
Robert has more than 20 years of finance experience in a variety of settings, from global operations for a Fortune 500 enterprise to day-to-day financial management of a small business. He is thrilled to be part of the Artistree community and to help support its mission of making the arts part of the fabric of the community. He believes that spreadsheets can also be beautiful.
Originally from New Jersey, Robert lives in Randolph with his wife Stacey, two cats, and a barn full of old books.
You can reach Robert via email at finance@artistreevt.org or call 802-457-3500 x 126.
Abbie is an actor who grew up in Woodstock and has worked with various theatre companies around the Upper Valley and performed at various theatres in London.
She has a BA in Theatre Performance and French from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR and received her MFA in Acting from East 15 Acting School in London, England. She spent nearly 10 years working at Tranquillity Camp in upstate New York as their Head of Theatre and working as a camp counsellor. She has loved theatre from a young age and is excited to join the team at Artistree!
You can reach Abbie at theatre-educator@artistreevt.org
Azusa is passionate about delivering the absolute best customer experience and loves problem solving and organizing.
Azusa Mihara comes to Artistree after an exemplary twenty-year employment at the five-star resort Twin Farms in Barnard, Vermont. She is passionate about delivering the absolute best customer experience and loves problem solving and organizing.
Azusa is excited to continue expanding her skills working at Artistree Community Art Center in the Gallery and supporting the goals of artists and her co-workers is paramount to her. In addition, Azusa also enjoys teaching Japanese cooking and language classes at Artistree. Creating and exploring the warm and sweet conversations with loved ones through cooking.
You can reach Azusa via email at gallery@artistreevt.org or call 802-457-3500 x 117.
Deborah Goodwin has a BFA in ceramics and sculpture from Denison University, where she also studied art history and worked in the college gallery. After college she began working in the fashion industry, first in display and retail management, then as a buyer, and finally as a successful designer and manufacturer. Upon moving to Vermont in 2007, she resumed working as an artist, making soft sculpture pillows and hand-built ceramics.
In 2019, after 5 years of producing her ceramics during Artistree's open studios and teaching a workshop or two, Deborah joined the Artistree staff as Exhibits Coordinator. She enthusiastically develops and installs exhibits that share the fantastic talents of our area's artists with the community.
You can reach Deborah via email at exhibits@artistreevt.org or call 802-457-3500 x 117.
Born and raised in Vermont, F. Steven Holt currently serves as the Facilities Director, bringing his keen insight and dedicated leadership to the role. Passionate about creating and maintaining welcoming spaces, Steven is the go-to person for all facility-related inquiries. If you need to get in touch with him, you can email him at property@artistreevt.org
Lisa Kaija is an educator at heart who enjoys designing art projects for all ages, integrating the arts with other disciplines and getting creative whenever possible.
After hanging out with my family, teaching and being creative, my favorite pastimes are hiking and biking. In July 2018, I summited Mt. Whitney (14,494') and hiked the John Muir Trail (~250 miles) in the Sierra Nevada. I particularly enjoy winter hiking, climbing up peaks in the White Mountains in deep snow and sliding down. This summer I bought a gravel bike so that I could participate in some of the many gravel events around Vermont, one of which is organized by my daughter, Gretchen, and her husband, Ian, in Peacham, Vermont.
My husband, Kevin, and I are pretty absorbed by projects on the family homestead--gardening, picking berries, freezing and preserving, cooking and baking, sewing, renovating and maintaining an old farmhouse and cleaning out the barns (again?!). Whenever possible, I like to travel to see our kids around the country, look at art in Europe or relax on an island somewhere.
You can reach Lisa via email at art-educator@artistreevt.org
Finnie Trimpi, Outreach Coordinator at Artistree, enjoys working with all mediums and encouraging artists of all abilities and ages to be creative.
Finnie Trimpi, Outreach Coordinator at Artistree, enjoys working with all mediums and encouraging artists of all abilities and ages to be creative. Finnie holds a BS in Art Education from the University of Vermont. She has spent most of her professional life in public and private classrooms teaching art in elementary schools and non-profit art centers on Nantucket and in Vermont.
As Outreach Coordinator, Finnie enjoys helping the dynamic and full programming spread to populations that cannot come to our campus. Find her watching her kids sporting events, theatrical endeavors, taxiing between activities and out and about in the Upper Valley – she’s happy to chat art, teaching, fun and adventure!
You can reach Finnie at outreach@artistreevt.org or call 802-457-3500 x 113.
Angie is happy to be working with an organization that brings the arts into the community and encourages and promotes the creativity in all of us.
Originally from California. Mom to 2 daughters, proud grandmother to 3 granddaughters and 2 grandsons. Love hanging out with my fuzzbutts. 2 small dogs and my cat.
You can contact Angie by email at attendant@artistreevt.org.
Matthew Robert is pleased to have accepted a position as the new Theatrical Artistic Director here at Artistree.
Matthew is also the co-founder and Creative Director for Firefly Landing Designs; a New England based theatrical design, fabrication, and events company. Matthew has worked with a variety of educational programs and professional production companies as an Artistic Director, musician, Technical Director and Designer including projects with Arlekin Players, Broken Leg Productions, Inter-lakes Regional Summer Theater, Speakeasy Stage Company and BarnArts. Matthew holds a MA in Theater from Emerson College and works to bring socially aware, professional level arts to communities and public programs across New England. Matthew is also the Artistic Director/Technical Director for Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph, VT. He enjoys singing, making puppets and spending time with his family.
You can contact Matthew by email at theatre@artistreevt.org.
April Carr happily joined Artistree in 2023 after many years of medical office administration. April grew up in the area and now lives in South Royalton.
When she's not at Artistree answering questions, replying to emails and helping out wherever she can, April enjoys needlework, road trips, live music, baking, and trying out whatever art, craft, or new topic piques her curiosity.
April thinks Artistree is a really special place, and she's so happy to work here.
April can be reached at manager@artistreevt.org
Jade is known for weaving artistry, storytelling, and socially aware theater into every production. With nearly 20 years in the industry, she has worn many creative hats—costumer, stage manager, props manager, assistant director, playwright, administrator—always driven by a love for theatrical transformation.
She holds an MA in Women's and Gender Studies from Brandeis University and co-founded Firefly Landing LLC, a New England based theatrical design, fabrication, and events company. Her career highlights include bringing two productions to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, a testament to her commitment to bold, thought-provoking work.
When not orchestrating the magic of the stage, she can be found reading, cooking, singing, and spending time with her daughters, often dreaming up her next production—preferably one with elaborate, breathtaking costumes.
You can reach Jade via email at theatreadmin@artistreevt.org
*Profile Art is a piece from the Fierce Female Project by FInnie Trimpi
Michelle Hough is a visual and fiber arts educator at Artistree. You will find her teaching fiber, clay, sculpture, painting and mixed media classes to all ages.
Michelle earned a BFA in 1999 from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in Textile Design Fiber Arts with a concentration in printmaking and computer aided design. She has worked in the Boston area as a wallpaper designer and was a member of April Cornell’s apparel and linen design team in Burlington VT. She then transitioned to the non-profit sector where she had been volunteering on a women’s crisis hotline. Michelle was an advocate against Domestic Abuse in Chittenden County, VT for over twelve years. She used arts programming to encourage healing in an undisclosed location crisis women and children’s shelter, for weekly support groups for those affected by violence, in playgroups for children who have experienced trauma and on college campuses to advocate for nonviolence. She grew up between Barnard, VT, and Cambridge, MA. She is the former art teacher at The Prosper Valley School, Woodstock Elementary School and Killington Elementary School. She lives with her husband Matthew, three sons, and two pups in Bridgewater, VT.
You can reach Michelle via email at fiberartseducator@artistreevt.org
Endine Peters is Artistree’s Programming Assistant and a lifelong Vermonter who has never met a craft she didn’t like. From fiber arts to theatre to ceramics, she loves exploring every corner of the creative world. Endine is passionate about animals, and her beloved cat, Beetlejuice, can often be found supervising her workdays at the arts center. She brings creativity and a sense of community to everything she does.
Fig is Fiona's wire-haired mini dachshund and proud resident princess of the arts center. She believes in greeting every guest with enthusiasm and announcing the arrival of the UPS truck with her signature bark—just to make sure we’re all paying attention.
When she’s not supervising deliveries, Fig can be found trotting around the building, snuggling into laps, or accepting admiration from her adoring public. She takes her role very seriously and expects treats, praise, and soft blankets as part of her daily compensation package.
Beetlejuice is Endine's extremely chill, endlessly fluffy black cat who roams the building like he owns the lease (because, honestly, he does). Calm, friendly, and always up for a head scratch, he has become an essential part of our team’s emotional support system.
He occasionally invites his younger brother, Binks, to join him at work—though “join” may be an understatement. Binks is something of a whirlwind of chaos and curiosity, so visits are limited… for everyone’s safety.
Beetlejuice keeps the energy balanced, the staff relaxed, and the building just a little more magical.